Pacquiao Returns at 46 to Challenge Welterweight Champion Barrios in Las Vegas

Manny Pacquiao is making a comeback to professional boxing at age 46 to challenge WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios on July 19 in Las Vegas, reuniting with longtime trainer Freddie Roach and strength coach Justin Fortune for training at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles. Despite his age and a four-year hiatus from official fights, Pacquiao's team reports he remains sharp and in good shape, with a focus on speed and conditioning to face a younger and larger opponent. Former promoter Bob Arum expressed concern about the risks of Pacquiao returning against an active champion at this stage in his career but acknowledged Pacquiao's legendary status and fighting spirit. Pacquiao hopes to break his own record as the oldest welterweight world champion, a feat he previously set in 2019 at age 40. Roach remains optimistic about Pacquiao's ability to defy the odds, emphasizing the difficulty of the challenge but his confidence in Pacquiao's capabilities. The fight is seen as a significant event in boxing, highlighting Pacquiao's enduring legacy and the sport's need for iconic figures.